Abstract

Energy is becoming more demanding and a security to the continual existence of human race in different aspects. Renewable energy being the most clean and reliable energy sources have attracted the global researchers towards a high efficiency energy conversion interface of the most desired source; solar energy. The main objective of this research was to cool down photovoltaic (PV) module using integrated heat sink and back surface active water cooling technique and desirably allows the use of extracted thermal energy for other domestic needs. A locally available and designed porous pot has been selected to be part of the forced water circulation technique because of its high cooling capacity without any necessary maintenance. The circulation was achieved with the aid of low energy powered fabricated centrifugal pump with flow rate of 0.01l/s. 5% concentration of Ethylene glycol in the cooling fluid to further aid the cooling capacity of the water. The pot was designed to ensure cooling down of circulating fluid before subsequent recycling process to a temperature below room temperature even at the hottest hours of a day. The technique was integrated with back surface aluminum heat sink, supported with an insulative cover. The result shows about 28% temperature fall and 33% increase in overall efficiency of the module relative to reference module.

Key words: PV Module, Cooling techniques, Porous pot, Efficiency